Tag: Willow Wood Hospice

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Teenager riding high after mammoth challenge for Willow Wood

A Dukinfield teenager has raised a fantastic £1,735 for Willow Wood Hospice by swimming the equivalent of five marathons AND cycling 73 miles.

Leila McClure combined two of her passions for the mammoth eight-month challenge, which she completed before the 20th anniversary of her grandma’s death.

Mary McClure died peacefully in the Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, on 5th May 2003 from breast cancer.

Although Leila didn’t get to meet her grandma, the memories shared with her throughout her life made it feel that she had a deep understanding and connection with her.

The 13-year-old, who goes to All Saints Catholic College and is a member of Dukinfield Marlins Swimming Club, has made her family very proud.

Leila’s family have been supporting the Hospice for many years

Her dad Ian told us: “She has smashed her challenge out of the park, eight months of solid hard work that involved a 73-mile bike ride and 131 miles in the pool. The pool swims equated to a humongous 8,384 lengths!

“For a 13-year-old girl, her focus and dedication are inspirational. As well as raising funds for her grandma, halfway through the challenge, her grandad passed away and whilst it had an obvious impact on her, she did not allow this to throw her and she kept focussed on raising as much money as she could for Willow Wood.

“Big thanks to everyone who sponsored her and helped motivate her along the way, including Leila’s amazing friends, as well as Active Tameside for donating free swims at their pools for her.

“What a fantastic achievement, we are very, very proud.”

Leila swam most days in order to complete her epic challenge

Leila set an initial target to raise £500 but quickly smashed it and the money she has raised will make a difference to patients from the local community in our care.

Samantha Kitch, Fundraising Manager at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “We are truly grateful for the incredible determination and heart that Leila has shown to support the Hospice.

“She really is an inspiration to us all and we cannot thank her enough for her amazing efforts, which will help us to provide compassionate care to other families across Tameside and Glossop.

“We need to raise at least £3.3 million every year and, with only around 20 per cent of our funding coming by way of central government, the generosity of our community is crucial.”

If you would like to take on a challenge for Willow Wood, please get in touch with our Fundraising team by emailing fundraising@willowwood.org.uk or calling 0161 330 7788 so the Hospice’s team can support you along the way.

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A heartfelt thank you to our valued volunteers

Willow Wood’s dedicated band of volunteers give the gift of their time to make a huge difference to every aspect of hospice life.

To say thank you for their valuable contributions, our Volunteer Services Manager Lisa Pye organised a range of free activities based around the theme of ‘wellbeing’ to celebrate this year’s Volunteers’ Week.

Our Catering team’s very own star baker Lynn Valentine put on a cake decorating workshop which went down a treat.

There was an opportunity to discover jewellery-making techniques with Denise Royle, the manager of our Ashton shop.

A crafty group of volunteers had a creative afternoon painting pots at the 4C Community Centre in Ashton.

To look after their physical wellbeing too, volunteers took in some fresh air with a gentle stroll through nearby Stamford Park.

The week culminated with a lively and competitive session of bingo games and a quiz, led by volunteer Chris Hinds in The Hive.

There were some great prizes thanks to generous donations from local businesses including The Village Hotel, Lilly’s Patisserie & Bistro, Hobsons Hair & Beauty, Magpie’s Nest and Flip Out.

The activities were also funded with help from a £500 grant from local charity Action Together.

Every department in the Hospice received fruit hampers for their volunteers, which were put together primarily with supplies donated by Alimentari Di Alberti Greengrocers in Uppermill and 5 A Day in Stalybridge.

Our retail team also marked the occasion by showing their appreciation to the much-valued volunteers who provide help and support in our charity shops.

Shop managers bought cakes, brownies and keyrings for their volunteers and displayed banners in their windows to celebrate the occasion.

Louise Beeden, our Reddish Lane shop manager, also invited her volunteers to her house for an afternoon tea and a fun quiz.

Lisa Pye, Volunteer Services Manager at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “Volunteers’ Week is always a special time of the year as we celebrate our amazing volunteers across every department of the Hospice.

“We simply could not provide the vital services we do without their help and support – they make a profound difference.

“Everyone who took part in the activities had a great time. We cannot thank our volunteers enough for their selfless contributions.”

If you would like to join our team of volunteers and make a positive impact on our community, you can express your interest by filling out a simple form on our website at https://willowwood.org.uk/hospice-volunteering/interest/

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Flower Festival blooms funds for hospice care

Hundreds of people enjoyed Willow Wood’s popular Flower Festival last weekend, which raised over £6,000 in support of patient care at the Hospice.

The event was formally opened on Saturday 11th May by Ashton-under-Lyne MP Angela Rayner, along with Willow Wood Hospice’s new Chief Executive Officer, Tracy Minshull.

Local residents packed into the Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, over both days, which even brought some welcome sunshine.

The eighth annual festival held special significance as it commemorated 25 years of the Hospice providing compassionate care to patients from the local community, under the theme of ‘all things Willow Wood’.

Created by both individuals and groups, the vibrant displays represented services the Hospice offers, the Hospice’s charity shops, fundraising events both past and present, volunteers, the Willow Wood Hospice Choir and the Hospice’s picturesque gardens.

To further boost Hospice funds, each display had a price tag attached so they could be purchased by those in attendance and collected at the end of the festival.

There were also refreshments served by a band of volunteers – including from St Peter’s Church in Stalybridge – in The Hive and Prosecco in the Garden Room, where there was card, craft, wooden craft, cake, tombola and raffle stalls for visitors to browse.

Visitors were kept entertained by Mike Styan and friends from local amateur operatic societies on Saturday, and the Sounds Familiar Ukelele Band on Sunday.

Angela Rayner MP said: “It was my pleasure to officially open the annual Flower Festival at Willow Wood Hospice and this year was extra special as it marks the 25th anniversary.

“I have visited Willow Wood on many occasions during my time as MP and I am always struck by how dedicated and compassionate the staff and volunteers are and how much effort goes into creating such a peaceful and welcoming environment.

“I am incredibly proud to have such a wonderful facility within my constituency and I would like to thank everyone who works so hard to make it such a success. I am sure all the residents, visitors and their families who visit the hospice are grateful.”

The event is organised by a dedicated committee of volunteers, comprising Eileen Smith, Ann Fee, Pauline Giblin, Christine Lucas, Sheila Redfearn, Judith Scott, Lorraine Vaughton and Bernice Woodward.

Eileen Smith, on behalf of the committee, said: “It was a happy weekend, there was a lovely atmosphere and what a positive environment a hospice is.

“We wish to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped in any way to ensure the festival was a great success, everyone who attended and Angela Rayner for opening the event.”

The Hospice must raise at least £3.3 million every year to run and, with only around 20 per cent coming by way of Central Government, the generous support of the community is vital.

If you would like to organise a fundraising event for Willow Wood, please contact the Hospice’s Fundraising team by emailing fundraising@willowwood.org.uk or calling 0161 330 7788 so they can support you along the way.

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Learn about local dementia support at Information Day

Willow Wood Hospice is hosting an Information Day to start an informal conversation and offer guidance around dementia care provision in Tameside and Glossop.

It’s taking place at the Hospice, based on Willow Wood Close in Ashton-under-Lyne, on Friday 17th May from 11am to 3pm.

The drop-in hub, in The Hive room, will be a market place information event, which is free to attend and open to the public and professionals.

Attendees will be able to chat to representatives from Willow Wood’s Dementia Support team, the Integrated Care team, Age Concern, Memory Clinic, local PCNs and Alzheimer’s Society.

The event coincides with Dementia Action Week, an annual campaign led by Alzheimer’s Society that brings people together from across the country under a unified theme to take action on dementia.

Nicola Lavery, Dementia Services Lead at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “One in three people born in the UK today will go on to develop dementia in their lifetime. Being diagnosed with dementia, or caring for a person with dementia, can be challenging.

“We want people from our local community to know that support is available to anyone affected by dementia in a number of ways.

“If you are looking for valuable information about dementia services in our area, including here at the Hospice, please come along to our Information Day to find out more.”

On the day, limited Blue Badge parking will be available at the Hospice. Darnton Road has a public pay and display car park if you are not coming on foot or public transport.

Anyone who has any questions about the event in the meantime can call Willow Wood’s Dementia Support team on 0161 330 1100.

Pictured: Nicola Lavery (left), Dementia Services Lead at Willow Wood Hospice, and Wendy Irons, Dementia Assistant Practitioner at Willow Wood Hospice.

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New CEO proud to lead Willow Wood into the future

The new CEO of Willow Wood says she wants to make sure the Hospice “continues to have a strong voice” within Greater Manchester and beyond.

As the Hospice based in Ashton-under-Lyne celebrates 25 years of providing compassionate care in May, the month also heralds the start of a new era.

Tracy Minshull officially takes over the reins from Karen Houlston, who is retiring having led the organisation for over 10 years and been part of the Hospice for almost as long as it has been open.

“I feel really humble, Willow Wood is an amazing place,” said Tracy. “It’s been particularly inspirational meeting with staff individually and seeing the difference each individual makes in their role.

“One thing they all say is how passionate they are about working at Willow Wood. I’m really proud and privileged to be the new CEO moving the Hospice forward into the future.”

Tracy, who most recently worked in local government as a commissioner, brings a wealth of experience of working in the health and social care sector for the past 25 years.

Explaining how this will aid her in the role, she said: “Primarily around partnerships so working with our system partners in Tameside and Glossop to really make sure Willow Wood is seen as the area’s centre of excellence for palliative and end-of-life care.

“I am hoping to further enhance the relationships with system partners and the local council, as we contribute so much to existing Tameside plans around supporting people in our local communities to living well at Home. I am also keen to ensure that we build new strategic relationships, enhancing our strategic presence moving us forward past 2024/25.”

Keen to hit the ground running, Tracy has already mapped out how she plans to spend her first 100 days in post.

“The first month is focusing on internal communications so getting to meet everyone. My intention is to meet every member of staff individually to get to know what brought them to Willow Wood, what keeps them here and their skills and expertise.

“The second month will focus on our external partners and stakeholders, getting to know our Trustees better, getting a sense of the partners we already work with in the local community and the new partnerships we wish to forge as we move forward.

“The last month will be focused primarily on strategy and governance, looking at some of our processes and procedures and trying to make sure that we are as ready for the future as we can be.”

Tracy is also eager to ensure Willow Wood continues to be part of the conversation surrounding the need for a sustainable funding model for all hospices.

“In Greater Manchester, we are very fortunate to have the GM Hospices Collaborative,” she said.

“Certainly, I want to be in that group of CEOs to really drive the national agenda as well. I want to work with Hospice UK to make sure Willow Wood’s voice is heard within that arena.

“We recognise that we are in really challenging financial times across the board – that being said, we still have to keep pushing for a sustainable funding model to move forward with.”

And Tracy won’t be afraid to get involved in every aspect of hospice life, with Willow Wood renowned for putting the fun into fundraising.

She added: “My daughter has put us in the ballot for next year’s London Marathon so we’re waiting to find out if we get a place!

“I’m keen to do anything which helps to raise the profile of the Hospice as well as raise vital funds. The thought of a skydive is somewhat terrifying but anything like that would be fine.”

Pictured: Tracy Minshull (centre), the new CEO of Willow Wood Hospice, with some of the Hospice’s nursing staff

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New treatment facility for hospice patients

A new treatment facility has opened at Willow Wood Hospice which provides outpatient physiotherapy and occupational therapy for patients.

The Hospice Therapy Team usually visit patients in their own home but the new clinic room can now be used for physiotherapy and occupational therapy assessments and interventions in the Hospice.

It can be accessed to provide treatment for existing patients from across all Hospice services – including Therapy, Inpatient, Wellbeing and Dementia support – and assess new patients too.

Hospice staff can see patients face-to-face to tailor their care to their needs, create a programme aimed at helping them meet their goals and enable them to make positive steps – whether it is to help with pain management, fatigue, breathlessness or functional needs.

Rebecca Stimson, Community and Wellbeing Service Therapy Lead at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “The new facility will encourage patients to visit the Hospice and helps those who have set their goals on building their strength and mobility to be able to leave their home.

“It will also help them to be able to continue their rehabilitation away from home and in a supported, accessible and safe environment.

“The space is more comfortable and accessible for those whose home environment may not be ideal for treatment. It also gives our Therapy team the opportunity to treat more patients.”

A patient or their carer can access the Community and Wellbeing Services by phoning the hospice on 0161 330 1100 and asking for Wellbeing at The Hive for an informal chat.

By Adam Higgins 

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Marie receives early birthday gift by striking lottery gold

One of our team members at Willow Wood recently struck lottery lucky, leaving Royal Mail with one less winning lottery cheque to deliver!

This stroke of good fortune also gave Hospice Lottery Manager, Diane Austin-Hughes, the fantastic job of delivering the good news and a cheque for £1,000 to the winner in person.

“I send out cheques each week to our lottery winners, but rarely do I get to see the surprise and joy on their faces. So, when I realised that our Quality, Governance and Compliance Lead, Marie Gamlin, had won the jackpot, I was thrilled!”

As for Marie, the lucky recipient of the winning cheque, her win made for a double celebration as it came just days before her birthday!

“I thought Diane was joking at first when she handed me a cheque for £1,000. I thought perhaps she was asking for some advice on lottery risk assessments. When the news finally sank in, I knew immediately that I wanted to spend some of the money to treat my family to a lovely meal together to celebrate the win and my birthday,” said Marie.

Marie added: “I’m a winner in other ways too, as I get to see first-hand the services my lottery membership funds help to provide.”

By pledging £1 in our lottery each week, you are entered into our draw to win one of 40 prizes and have a chance of pocketing anything from £5 to £1,000! While you wait to see if you’ve been lucky each week, your entry fee will be working hard to help us provide care for patients from your community.

If you would like to sign up for our lottery, click here.